Different types of decay | Alpha vs. Beta vs. Gamma decay | Visual Explanation

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you for watching my video. If you liked it, please consider giving it a thumbs up 👍. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help you ☺.

[@emijackson7]

Very nice❤

[@puncheex2]

I like it, I like it, and I'm not being sarcastic, as I can be. I am a 75 year old engineering/physics grad with a masters degree. Many of the things you say had me going back and listening to them two or three times because the first time they sounded wrong to me. After two or three tries I was able to see that they weren't wrong. Perhaps it was your medical approach rather than my physics knowledge. You have forced me to look at radiation in a way which I had thought I had totally mastered 55 years ago and rethink some of it. Particularly about that food processing. That doesn't often happen to me, and I thank you for it. A couple of things: 4:00 The slide displays "neurons" when it should say neutrons. I see besmaa1751 caught that as well. 6:36 "The only substances that can absorb this type of radiation [gamma rays] are thick lead and concrete." Not so. All mass can absorb gamma rays; air absorbs the prompt gamma rays of a nuclear blast at the rate of half the energy for every 200 meters at one atmosphere, otherwise anyone viewing that blast, even at six miles distance, would have been liquidated on the spot. The air and everything else absorbs the energy and converts it to heat. If gamma rays weren't absorbed by tissues, then neither medical therapies nor food preservation would be effective, nor even the idea of being harmed by a gamma ray blast. The reason irradiating meat works is that the rays destroy enough of the organization required for bacterial life, but that level of ionization doesn't destroy enough of the dead food to matter for taste, texture or nutrition. As you say, "no *significant* changes". I acknowledge that you perhaps know this but are trying to simplify for your intended audience. Please, by all means, continue to post about science topics. I'm subscribed.

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback and kind words! I completely understand your perspective, and I appreciate your understanding that my explanations may be simplified due to my background as a medical doctor. In my field of nuclear medicine, we focus on the practical applications of radiation without delving into the deeper physics and mathematics. Regarding your feedback, I'm grateful for the corrections you provided. You're absolutely right about the interaction of gamma rays with matter. I'll make sure to incorporate the information that all matter can absorb gamma rays, not just lead and concrete, in an updated video (by the end of the year). Once again, thank you for your valuable insights, and I'm glad to have viewers like you who contribute to improving the accuracy of the content. 💛

[@rutujasawant6646]

This video is awesome. Your explanation is straightforward yet filled with valuable information and it's very helpful. Loved it! Keep uploading such fantastic videos.

[@RavenCelestia]

Your voice is so relaxing! This was very informative, thank you!

[@yaseenkhan-od7rt]

so nicely explained in a short video deserve appreciations. thanks for producing such convenience in learning

[@minhalhassan9498]

@1:00 it loses four from its mass number ( 2 from the proton and 2 from the neutron)...and not electrons* you have really simplified the concepts...keep up the good work. If possible do make a video on pair production, compton effects and other radiation physics topics and also on biostatistics too. :)

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you for pointing this out. A video about Compton effect/photoelectric effect can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZuyZ2iBid-hfZo 😊

[@omkarmahajan7651]

Thanks for the crystal clear information. Totally understood the concept❤

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

You’re welcome 😊

[@KashifKhan-tb1mk]

Hello doctor ma'am your effort is amazing I can understand everything

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you, Kashif! 😊💛

[@katereed1018]

Yes, Dr. Moyaert! I love your video because the visual graphics along with your explanation are fantastic!

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you so much, Kate! 😊💛

[@HassanAhmed-zm3bs]

Great explanation dr.paulien it helped me in my physics exam

[@siotibi827]

Good video and very informative. The way I know is that alpha and beta particles, though have very minimal penetration, still deliver the most ionizing damage to living tissue when ingested, inhaled; at direct/close contact. Gamma ray, though less ionizing, however has the increased risk of deeper penetration, capable of delivering harmful effects at a distance, so in a way it is significantly more dangerous. Neutron radiation takes top prize.

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you, Sio! 😊🖐

[@ArtundertheSun1]

Thank you, this was extremely helpful and the graphics were perfect for understanding what you were teaching. ❤

[@laliths945]

Crystal clear explanation!

[@swostikagyawali]

I am from Nepal Your explanation was best with visual graphics 😊

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thanks!❤😍

[@dominicestebanrice7460]

Superb presentation. Thanks! FWIW, the image of the visual spectrum at 0612" is the best I've seen in terms of packing key information into one visual. And I now have a better intuition how gamma rays in oncology are focused on the target cells to minimize damage to surrounding tissue.

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you so much. Your comment made my day! 😍🙏

[@mariociencia12]

Amazing! Fantastic! Incredible! Better than movies from Marvel Studio!

[@AkksayaPrabatharan]

Thank you for the explanation, I really appreciate it!❤❤❤

[@Gabrini_acoustics]

This is great video! Tnx for the lesson... Im just confused at the last sentence, isnt the alpha decay most damaging and gamma the least damaging one?

[@AbrarAhmed-pl1me]

so sophisticated thank you ,,,,,,, we really appreciate your effort🥰🥰🥰

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you so much Abrar 😊🥰

[@archerdev]

Thank you Dr. Moyaert for this amazing explanation. Science bless us all

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you, Archer! 💛

[@mahtabehmad]

loved this explanation, thanks Dr.

[@abiytadele1784]

precise and easy to understand! Thank you!

[@tabasdezh]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@Lï-Santana-DrácûL]

All decay is constant in micro-variance on a particle level. Meaning the exchange of what is called an electron, as a particle valance displacement. The interchange and loss of particles is truly what decay is at its most basic and primal form. Air can deplete even metal at high velocity where the particles in valance orbit can be blown off course and into the air itself, bonding with the accelerated particles of the air forced upon it.

[@RasikaMahabal]

very well explained. thank you!

[@TomHendricksMusea]

BETA DECAY and My Model for PROTON and NEUTRON. Beta Decay takes two basic forms: BETA MINUS DECAY: a neutron breaks down into a proton and electron. Plus energy is released. BETA PLUS DECAY: a proton and electron combine to build a neutron. Plus energy is added. BACKGROUND of MY MODEL Proton = two positrons and one electron. Charge +1. Neutron - one proton and one electron. Charge 0. BETA MINUS DECAY: Neutron breaks down into a proton, and releases an electron.. Plus energy from an anti neutrino. BETA PLUS DECAY: Proton plus pair of virtual particles makes a neutron. Plus energy from a neutrino. OR Proton plus virtual electron makes a neutron and a virtual positron is released. Plus energy from a neutrino. THIS EXPLAINS Where the missing anti matter is - in protons and neutrons. Why a proton and electron have exact same opposite charge. Where the positron in beta plus decay comes from.

[@Moodikittu_ponga]

Nice explanation🤩.. But one suggestion, to increase your background voice...

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thanks for the feedback! 😊

[@Anonymous-07x]

1:00 2 electrons and 2 neutrons not 2 electrons Right?

[@besmaa1751]

Just wanted to let you know that you have been using neuron instead of neutron throughout most of the video 🙂 Other than that, very informative and easily understandable video. Thank you so much for your effort (in the entire NM-playlist)!

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Oops! Thanks! 😉

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

(I'm a nuclear medicine resident specializing in neurology, maybe that's why I kept using neuron 😉)

[@besmaa1751]

@@dr.paulinemoyaert They are very similar words, so I can totally understand the confusion. 😁In fact, I did the exact same thing while studying for my upcoming exam...

[@tamerdawud6930]

Thanks for the simple explanation!

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you, Tamer! 🙌😊

[@tamerdawud6930]

@@dr.paulinemoyaert thank You, I am a first year nuclear medicine resident in the US. You are doing a great job simplifying the concepts, keep doing it!

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

@@tamerdawud6930 Nice to meet you, colleague ;-)

[@ThinkForYourself2025]

I did like it; well done.

[@mikeymouse4629]

Excellent !! 🙂

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you 😊😊💛

[@billcook4768]

Every single thing I’ve ever read or listened to about alpha radiation mentions that it can be blocked by “a sheet of paper.” I wonder who first came up with that example and when it became mandatory to use.

[@fossetteful]

So helpful!!

[@arjanitaademaj959]

At the end of the video you said alpha decay is the least damaging and gama decay is the most damaging but isn't it the opposite?

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Hi Arjanita, thank you for your comment. Alpha particles/decay is the least damaging in terms of external exposure (they don't penetrate very deeply into the skin, if at all -- in fact, clothing can stop alpha particles). Gamma particles/decay on the other hand can pass completely through the human body and as they pass through, they can cause ionizations that damage tissue and DNA (which can increase the risk of getting cancer). I hope this it clear. If not, please let me know :-)

[@arjanitaademaj959]

@@dr.paulinemoyaert I understand now. Thank you very much ^ ^.

[@CenTexTom]

What would a neutron decay do? ...and would you give this to your best friend or worst enemy? I'll hang up and listen, thanks 😅

[@evoice6591]

Very helpful

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you! 😊

[@spectra7gaming471]

Is there a history on these type of books?

[@angelicbrothers9540]

Very clear

[@bennettgrado2382]

The mass number, on the alpha decay transition, is protons and neutrons.

[@joeyjoey324]

3:53 it’s neutrons not neurons

[@preetgulia2214]

Very helpful vedio

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

Thank you 😊

[@preetgulia2214]

@@dr.paulinemoyaert do you use instagram ?

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

@@preetgulia2214 Not yet. I might have a public account in the near future 🙂

[@preetgulia2214]

@@dr.paulinemoyaert I’m from India 🇮🇳 I really like your vedios they are very helpfull

[@preetgulia2214]

@@dr.paulinemoyaert do you use any of social media

[@Digital_Mindset]

Thanks lovely

[@Himself028]

Thanks!

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

💛💛

[@stephanecorriveau6982]

I’m sorry but such videos should always be reviewed and heavily scrutinized before publishing. I stopped watching at 1:02 when you stated that the nucleus mass reduction was from a combined proton and electron loss. Even more frustrating is that you are aware of this error since you’ve replied to others that have already commented about it, and yet the error remains uncorrected after two year.

[@spectra7gaming471]

1:11

[@jeremyhofmann7034]

Also moral decay

[@mangeshdevrukhkar5449]

👍

[@sajidrafique375]

You have used Neurons instead of Neutrons in many places

[@dr.paulinemoyaert]

I know :)

[@nuwochaser]

@@dr.paulinemoyaertwhy tho

[@peelysl]

@@dr.paulinemoyaertbruh

[@dilan8989]

@@dr.paulinemoyaertuhm ok😂